Pakistan Rangers, Indian BSF hold first round of dialogue

LAHORE: The first round of talks were held between the Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to discuss different issues of confrontation between the two sides, ARY News reported.

During the meeting, the request of the Indian delegation to make the Pathankot attack as part of the agenda was rejected by Pakistan, who said that the incident was an internal matter of India.

The meeting for Pakistan-India security dialogue was convened at the Rangers Headquarters by DG Rangers Maj. General Umar Farooq Burki, who welcomed the 24-member delegation from India led by DG BSF Krishan Kumar Sharma.

The meeting was held a conducive and constructive environment while both sides hurled various accusations against each other over the tense situation at the border and the ceasefire violations. They discussed a range of issues including prevention of cross-border smuggling, swift return of people mistakenly crossing the border, and incidents of unprovoked firing at the Line of Control (LOC).

The concluding phase of dialogue will be held on Thursday (tomorrow) after which a joint statement will be released. The Indian delegation will be given a reception today.